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Take me to church?

If you are a non-believer, and you have a friend or family member ask you to attend a service, for whatever reason, do you still attend?

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Look4AJourney 5 Oct 7
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41 comments

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10

My dearest uncle is a pastor. Every few years his birthday falls on a Sunday and he asks me to attend service for his birthday. Usually I do. I even bring my heathen ass kids. The whole way there is filled with "it's just like Santa Claus, they still believe it's real and we aren't here to start a riot. Smile, nod and know it will be over soon and you're making your uncle happy."

9

The last time I went into a church was when I when I was travelling through a small English town, looking for a tea shop, and I heard a choir singing as I passed a church, so I went in and stood quietly at the back to enjoy the music. The service ended soon after and before I could leave one of the congregants saw me and said "Oh, you must be new here; come for some tea and cake in the church hall opposite". Well, no further prompting needed, and it was as I was sitting with my tea cup in one hand and a big wedge of cake in the other that someone said to me "So, where do you normally go to church?".
"Oh", I replied, "I'm not a Christian" and the whole table went quiet.
Tea and cake have rarely tasted so good.

Best story I have heard in a LONG Time! Thank you!

4

Found this comment on FB on Blasphemy Day

Dougy Level 7 Oct 8, 2018
4

Because it has no meaning to me, I don't really have any reason not to other than it seems a waste of time to engage in the irrelevant. So, if it is for some specific reason in which the church/temple/synagogue/mosque plays a role for those inviting me -- like weddings, ceremonies associated with the death of a family member or close friend, and things of that nature, I have no problem. I see it as a courtesy and outward display of empathy/concern for the others.

4

I attended my daughter's wedding in a church, and my grandson's baptism. I even read scriptures at the wedding. I was not struck by lightning nor did I burst into flame. I was so disappointed. All my kids know I am atheist, and my kids are pretty much atheist. The one that got married in church was making daddy happy. My SIL, father of the grandson is catholic, and he asked me several times if I was comfortable going to the baptism. I said oh heck ya, it's a good show. I also told him for anything Austin does anywhere, I will be there. That is what Grammys do.

Yes it is! I will go see anything my grands Do, even at church.

3

I really don’t care what the occasion is. The people watching is entertaining in itself if I must go.

3

The norm is no way in hell.....of course there is that one time where you have to be the bigger person

I'm intrigued by your view. When would you consider a moment that being "the bigger person" will outweigh your norms?

@Look4AJourney when someone I care about needs that emotional support given unexpected circumstances. Let's say my sister son has died and she is deeply religious. I wouldn't tell her no, I would go with my mouth shut. No need to get confrontational when someone I care is hurting. Now, there are levels of complexity. If a friend of a friend tells me I need to go to mass, I don't have a problem to say no. If that person happens to be persistent then the next levels are hell no, fuck off and the last resource would be a punch on the face....in that order.

@IamNobody Agreed. Thanks for sharing!

3

No I can be bored in comfort elsewhere

2

I go every Sunday with my wife because she is a Christian and also has a bad sickness. I keep my mouth shut because someone would eventually say for me not to attend. Fortunately the church has free wifi and it's ok to look at your phone during service because some look up the study verse on their phone. I hope the church isn't tracking my websites. I am usually reading about non-Christian items.
I bow my head when they pray and use it as a time of meditation. I do believe in being thankful so often I use that time to reflect on being thankful
Also, I believe in "When in Rome. do as the Romans". I think if I was visiting a synagogue and was asked to wear one of those little beanie caps, I would.
One advantage I have here in south Georgia (USA) is that I am retired. I don't need to be popular or worry about not finding a job. I have lots of friends that will be my friend no matter what I believe. I don't know what I would have done here in Georgia if I had been an agnostic when I was younger.

2

Weddings, funerals, plays, community meetings will all get me into church. I volunteer at a church to help keep computers in good condition.

I am an atheist, it is not like I am afraid of being struck down.

That said I have no interest listening to someone preach or explain to me what the good verses say while skimming over all the torture porn. I am long past being quiet when challenged.

2

I typically do go as long as the person asking me understands that we can agree to disagree. I have gone to church to support a friend for instance who plays in the band every Sunday. He understands Im a heathen and invited me anyway and even tried to choose a day he thought would be less preachy for my sanity. It truly depends though on rach situation. Like my family, I won’t go for because they expect me to believe and go along with everything even if I don’t. So I just don’t go with them and thats okay with them. Better than me being with them and blatantly ignoring everything.

2

I have done so in the past, but I am tired of it all. I dislike being invited to a school graduation and having to sit through a full mass. It feels like being an anthropologist witnessing some strange foreign tribal rituals.

LB67 Level 7 Oct 9, 2018
2

Last service i attended was a friends funeral. He was 41. I went knowing it was going to be a very religious event, even though he wanted a secular service. His elderly, very ill mother is uber religious. I kept reminding friends that the service was not for the dead, D was gone. The service was for his mother who needed something to hold onto so don't be dicks.

2

I will sometimes go during the Xmas season. I like the music.

2

Luckily, I don't have any religious relatives, so I don't get into any of these awkward situations.

2

I go to many different churches and usually without being asked, sometimes I'll see a church message board that catches my eye, and I'll go check it out. I don't believe in the supernatural, but I do want to understand what exactly they get out of this experience.

Have you had any profound insights thus far?

2

I would, but bursting into flames isn't a good look on anyone. Not to mention the potential for property damage.

2

If someone needs me to sit next to them at a funeral, I'll do it. Otherwise, I really try to avoid it.

2

No, except weddings and funerals. And I'll probably try to dodge the "service" part for most funerals.

2

Sure for a wedding or funeral, that’s about it

2

Weddings, and funerals yes. no to every thing else.

@Omen6Actual I much prefer something like a wake, where every one celebrates the life of the person they knew.Well, and drinks a bunch as well.

@Omen6Actual I understand that, and i somewhat agree. But that is why (not always) like a good wake, where every one is drinking and telling stories of some great times we had with the departed. I understand that it's not for every one, but that's how I would like to happen when I pass,.Peeps that knew me sharing some fun, and fucked up shit we went through. The last thing I would ever want is for people to be sad of my departure.

1

Weddings are the only exception, I do not do funerals and hate embalming. The emphasis on sadness is just too high for me. I do not see death as sad when thinking of the person who died. The rest is our own selfish missing of a person. And that is fine but that is what it is.

EMC2 Level 8 Oct 19, 2018
1

"Paris is worth a mass" said Protestant Henry IV of France. OK, Paris isn't on offer anymore but some things can be worth it, like friendship, family etc.

1

If it's something like a wedding or funeral, baby dedication, baby baptism, etc. I would probably go. To me, that has less to do with the religious claims of the organization and more to do with showing support for a friend or family member during an important time in their lives. If it's just an invitation to the regular service of a church... probably gonna pass.

1

I have been to weddings and funerals. I want to show my support for whatever the situation. Other than that, nope.

MarcT Level 7 Oct 9, 2018
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